OUR CORRESPONDENT
SIVASAGAR: Panic spread among residents living near Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) plant at Borpathar village under Nazira subdivision in Sivasagar district after a crude oil pipeline of the ONGC developed a leak, resulting in continuous emission of toxic crude oil.
According to sources, the pipeline developed a leak on Thursday and the crude oil, which is continuously leaking from the pipeline, has flooded several bighas of agricultural land at Borpathar under Nazira subdivision in Sivasagar district.
Confirming the development, Additional Deputy Commissioner and I/c, Nazira subdivision Sabyasachi Kashyap said that an oil pipeline had leaked near Borpathar between Mesagarh and Molagaon under Nazira police station affecting several bighas of paddy cultivation. "As a result, the crude oil has spilled to nearby agricultural fields damaging around 20 bighas of paddy cultivation," he added.
The leakage was spotted by farmers on Thursday and was brought to the notice of the administration on Friday. "The leakage, that was limited to a couple of bighas till yesterday, has expanded to new areas today," Kashyap said, adding, "The matter has been taken up with ONGC authorities who have rushed their team to the spot."
Kashyap also said that the crude oil leakage was likely to have an adverse impact on the flora and fauna of the region, besides damaging the soil and cultivation.
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